Healthcare not always available when and where needed, human rights report warns

Healthcare in Scotland is not always available when people need it, a report has warned.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has published its second comprehensive annual assessment of how human rights are being realised across Scotland.

Its State Of The Nation 2025 report focuses on economic, social and cultural rights.

It said provision of healthcare across Scotland is a key concern for the SHRC, warning it is not always available when and where people need it.

Commission chairwoman Professor Angela O’Hagan said: “Economic, social and cultural rights are the foundations of a dignified life, but for many people in Scotland these rights remain out of reach.

“People are struggling to heat their homes, feed their families, or access basic services, and this is fuelling real frustration and tension across our communities.

“At times like these, human rights matter more than ever. They provide the framework that requires public bodies to act fairly, protect people’s dignity, and direct resources to those who need them most.

“The most effective way to rebuild trust and reduce anger is to make these rights a lived reality for everyone.”

The SHRC highlights 10 areas where it believes Scotland is falling short in its human rights obligations.

These include high levels of food insecurity and unaffordability, which means people are hungry and not fully nourished, and that basic daily essentials which keep people safe and warm are unaffordable.

It said disability-related social security entitlements do not provide a decent standard of living for disabled people and are at risk of retrogression.

Ms O’Hagan continued: “This report is a clear call to action. We urge the Scottish Parliament and all public bodies to use its findings to make better decisions about legislation, budgeting and service delivery.

“Human rights set the minimum standards that people in Scotland should be able to depend on, especially during tough times.”

The SHRC will present its report to the Scottish Parliament to mark Human Rights Day on December 10.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I welcome this report from our national human rights institution that demonstrates the importance of all duty bearers working to improve how people experience their human rights in Scotland.

“Earlier this month we published a high level action plan which sets out what we are doing and will do to strengthen economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland, including the rights to food, housing and health highlighted by the commission in its report.

“This includes investing over £3 billion this year in policies that tackle poverty and the cost of living, and driving forward our ambitious and progressive agenda to ensure that equality and human rights are embedded in all we do.

“Today we will publish a mainstreaming strategy, action plan and toolkit that will help ensure that equality and human rights are integrated into decision making throughout the Scottish public sector, with the aim of increasing fairness, tackling inequality, and removing disadvantages.

“We are committed to working with stakeholders and across the Parliament to strengthen rights realisation in Scotland.”